Warwick: West Coast Secondary Education Support Centre students discuss plastic bag ban

THE State Government’s plastic bag ban and its implementation were a hot topic at West Coast Secondary Education Support Centre recently.

Environment and Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski visited the Warwick school, which has been learning about politics and how the decisions and laws that are made in our State Parliament affect their daily lives.

Mr Dawson answered questions about alternative ways to dispose of waste, like seafood and other food scraps, by wrapping them in paper and storing them wrapped in the freezer until bin collection day or using garden composting bins.

Students asked if barrier bags (the small bags used for fresh meat and seafood at the deli counter) would also be banned and Mr Dawson said they would not because they are a health strategy for food handling.

Students also suggested to the minister they would like the government to ban straws and balloons.

Deputy principal Joanne Kriziotis said the students enjoyed being able to ask questions and “learn more about the plastic bag ban and what steps they could take to become more environmentally friendly with regards to the products they use at home”.

“We were delighted by the maturity of the questions asked and the communication skills the students displayed,” she said.

Mrs Stojkovski, who has been working with the students this term, said they had been “very interested in the political system and how they can be involved to make a difference”.

“Their enthusiasm to help protect the environment for the future shines through,” she said.

Mr Dawson said the visit also gave him the opportunity to hear about the progress made since the education support centre moved to the former Warwick Senior High School site earlier this year.

“This relocation provided staff and students with refurbished permanent classrooms, increased access to specialist facilities and resources and opportunities for inclusion with mainstream classes and students and a dedicated therapy room,” he said.